North Carolina has been included in 35 federal disaster declarations for severe storms, flooding or hurricanes since 2000, most recently Tropical Depression Chantal in September 2025 (FEMA DR-4889), and 4 for winter storms and freezing. Most water damage, though, starts inside: a supply line, a water heater, a washing machine hose or a toilet. The table ranks the 23 North Carolina cities we cover by population, with each city's score on our Water Damage Risk Index.
| City | Population | Homes built before 1980 | Freezing nights a year | Risk score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 964,784 | 28% | 58 | 48/100 |
| Raleigh | 506,306 | 23% | 57 | 51/100 |
| Greensboro | 308,667 | 43% | 63 | 58/100 |
| Durham | 305,561 | 30% | 84 | 55/100 |
| Winston-Salem | 257,271 | 48% | 64 | 57/100 |
| Fayetteville | 209,120 | 44% | 63 | 59/100 |
| Cary | 183,582 | 12% | 67 | 48/100 |
| Wilmington | 126,809 | 38% | 37 | 61/100 |
| High Point | 120,571 | 40% | 69 | 59/100 |
| Concord | 114,598 | 28% | 74 | 52/100 |
| Greenville | 96,443 | 27% | 54 | 57/100 |
| Asheville | 93,523 | 48% | 77 | 56/100 |
| Gastonia | 87,067 | 52% | 61 | 55/100 |
| Apex | 80,419 | 4% | 67 | 47/100 |
| Jacksonville | 72,732 | 37% | 43 | 60/100 |
| Huntersville | 68,535 | 7% | 58 | 42/100 |
| Chapel Hill | 63,565 | 35% | 68 | 55/100 |
| Kannapolis | 61,708 | 44% | 74 | 58/100 |
| Burlington | 61,496 | 53% | 72 | 65/100 |
| Wake Forest | 58,147 | 9% | 82 | 48/100 |
| Mooresville | 55,842 | 14% | 93 | 48/100 |
| Rocky Mount | 55,120 | 53% | 70 | 65/100 |
| Holly Springs | 50,288 | 3% | 89 | 48/100 |
Sources: Census Bureau population estimates (Vintage 2025) and ACS 2020-2024, NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals, OpenFEMA. Method: editorial policy and data.
Water damage in North Carolina?
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Water damage in North Carolina: common questions
Which North Carolina cities do you cover?
This page lists the 23 North Carolina cities we have local pages for. The phone line takes calls from anywhere in North Carolina; tell the call taker your ZIP code and you will be connected with a restoration company that serves it, where one is available.
Does homeowners insurance in North Carolina cover water damage?
Standard homeowners policies generally cover sudden and accidental water damage such as a burst pipe, and exclude flooding from outside and long-term leaks. North Carolina has had 35 federal disaster declarations for storms, floods or hurricanes since 2000, so it is worth checking whether you also need flood insurance.
How much does water damage restoration cost in North Carolina?
HomeAdvisor's 2026 national data puts most jobs at $1,383 to $6,369 (average $3,868), or roughly $3.50 to $7.50 per square foot for drying. Local labor costs, the type of water and the materials affected move the final number.